vails me nought To tarry longer here in life.”

She called together her maids with speed, Concealing well her bosom’s woe: “To have some play we’ll wend our way Unto the lofty chamber now.”

Then out and spake proud Signelil, She spake in stern determined guise: “This day I will my own self kill, And Hafbur join in Paradise.

p. 21“If any one in our band has helped To bring him to his death so foul, Shall rue his wrong when we ere long Shall burn together all to coal.

p. 21

“So many there are in this palace fair Whom now the death of Hafbur gladdens; But venge will I their cruelty This moment on their plighted maidens.”

Then fire she set to her bower high, The fire so hastily it blazed; How well she loved to all she proved Who on that conflagration gazed.

It was Hafbur, son of the King, O’er his shoulder blade he cast his sight; Of Signe good the bower stood, Enwrapt in one tremendous light.

“Now take ye down my mantle red, And let it lie upon the plain; Within my breast if I possessed Ten lives to beg them I’d disdain.”

p. 22King Sivard out of the window looked, And on his mind such horror came; For Hafbur he saw hang on a tree, And Signild’s bower enwrapt in flame.

p. 22

Outspake amain the little foot swain, And he a mantle red had on: “Now burns in bower the beauteous flower With her fair maidens, every one.”

Then up and spake grey Sivard the King, His face with paleness ghastly all: “A fate so dour as this I’m sure Did never princes two befall.

“If I before had heard or known The power of love was half so great, I’d ne’er, I swear, have vext the pair For all the wealth of Denmark’s state.

“Run some of ye to Signild’s bower, And strive to bear my child relief; Let others race to the gallows place, For Hafbur bold was ne’er a thief.”

p. 23And when they came to Signe’s bower All burnt they found the Lady fair; When out of breath they reached the heath, Hafbur was hanging dead in air.

p. 23

They Hafbur took, the son of the King, And round 

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